The revelation comes after the rollout in the Northern Territory was hit by another delay yesterday when building contractor Syntheo pulled out.

Syntheo had been contracted by Service Stream, who was in turn employed by the NBN Co to deliver connections to the Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

The NBN Co said it would employ its own contractors to lay the fibre.

But Communications Minister Stephen Conroy had a positive take on the withdrawal, saying it would benefit other states.

"This will enable the NBN Co to take direct control of the rollout in the Northern Territory, allowing Syntheo to concentrate its resources on the rollout in Western Australia and South Australia, bringing high-speed broadband to Australians in these states sooner," he said.

Meanwhile, the NBN Co today announced Siobhan McKenna was taking over from retiring chairman Harrison Young.